October 25th, 2023

The Power of the Tongue

Convicting Verses:

James 1:19 “So then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger: for the anger of man doesn’t produce the righteousness of God.”

Luke 6:45 “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

This verse highlights the connection between our words and the condition of our hearts. The words we speak are a reflection of what resides within us. A good way to examine our hearts is by evaluating our sources. What we consume daily. Are we spending our free time watching meaningless entertainment, or are we investing in activities that nourish our minds and spirit? Are we consuming unhealthy foods that affect not only our bodies but also our mental clarity? Or are we surrounding ourselves with wisdom, truth, and positive influences?

What we take in ultimately shapes who we are, both mentally and physically. If we constantly find ourselves saying things we regret, it may be time to examine our sources. Imagine a stream of water: if its source is a clean mountain spring, the water remains fresh and pure. If it flows from a polluted dam or stagnant lake, the water will be dirty and impure. The same principle applies to our hearts and our speech. It all depends on the source.

The Root of the Issue

After reflecting on this, I realize that the tongue itself isn’t the problem, our spirit within us is. The more we allow the Lord into our hearts, the more it will show in our words and actions.

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me, you can do nothing.”

When we allow God’s words to abide in us, our speech will become more fruitful. Our words will reflect peace, wisdom, and grace. I have seen how speech transforms when a person has God truly residing in their heart. The more we abide in Christ, the more grace He gives us to communicate in love rather than frustration.

The Role of Humility

To change our speech and the way our words impact others, we must understand the power of humility. Humility means acknowledging that we cannot do it alone and that we need God’s guidance. Someone may read a self-help book or listen to a motivational podcast and temporarily become a better person, but eventually, their true nature will surface. Only a genuine heart transformation through Christ leads to lasting change.

I have personally struggled with this. There have been times when I felt I was improving, only to later say or do something I deeply regretted. Through this journey, I’ve realized that I cannot do life alone or rely solely on my willpower. I need God in my heart because, the more I allow Him in, the more my words reflect peace and wisdom rather than frustration and negativity.

Building a Strong Foundation

We cannot expect long-term change unless we abide in Him.

There is a saying: “A person’s words and thoughts are merely a reflection of how they think about themselves.” This aligns with Luke 8:47-49:

Luke 8:47-49 “As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you who he is like. He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid a foundation on rock. When a flood came, the stream broke against that house, and could not shake it, because it was founded on rock. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the stream struck that house, it collapsed, and its destruction was complete.”

My Goal:

Proverbs 31:25-26 “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”

My goal is to become more fruitful in my speech and actions. I want to achieve this by building a strong foundation with God so that my heart, mind, and spirit remain steadfast in times of trouble. When I encounter hardships, disappointment, or negativity, I want my words to reflect wisdom and peace rather than reactionary emotions.

I am still learning and growing in my faith, but I know that through abiding in Christ, I can continue to refine my speech and strengthen my relationship with God. If we allow His word to transform our hearts, our words will naturally follow suit.